Kalina of Bulgaria's sports legacy: From steel musculature to the Shaolin path

Kalina of Bulgaria, the athletic princess known for her dedication to heavy weight training, has passed on her passion for martial arts and a healthy lifestyle to the next generation. Her son, Prince Simeón Hassan Muñoz, has just completed an extraordinary transformation by becoming a disciple of the legendary Shaolin kung fu, under the Chinese name Si Miao Tian, which means “Great Disciple of Buddha of the Magnificent Sky.” This achievement represents the culmination of a family tradition where sports, adventure, and physical excellence are core values.

Kalina of Bulgaria’s Athletic Philosophy

Kalina of Bulgaria has always been a strong advocate of a fitness lifestyle and the philosophy of physical balance. “I like the philosophy and lifestyle of fitness. Staying in shape, seeking parameters of balance and harmony. Mens sana in corpore sano. If I don’t train, I don’t feel well. That’s the only reason. It’s health, well-being, and happiness,” the princess shared in a recent interview. Her commitment to well-being extends beyond bodybuilding; she also practices kung fu and taekwondo, sports that complement her steel musculature and holistic life philosophy.

This approach to sports was no coincidence. Kalina of Bulgaria developed her passion for martial arts from an early age, directly influencing her son’s decision to seek training at one of the most prestigious academies in the world. Her husband, Antonio José “Kitín” Muñoz Valcárcel, an experienced explorer, also helped instill in Simeón a love for adventure and new experiences, creating a family that values personal challenge and constant self-improvement.

Prince Simeón’s Journey: Intensive Training at Shaolin Academy

In 2025, at 18 years old, Prince Simeón announced his decision to join the Shaolin Academy located on Mount Song in Henan Province, China. After passing all evaluations imposed by the monks who run the institution, he moved in November to begin a transformative experience. “I have been accepted and will live with them in China. Their history dates back about 1500 years. They are all kung fu masters, the fathers of martial arts, and I want to learn from them,” the young man expressed enthusiastically upon arriving at the Shaolin Academy.

For two months, the prince underwent a rigorous regimen that started each day at five in the morning with outdoor runs in the surrounding mountains. He lived in an educational complex near Dengfeng with classmates who spoke only Chinese, temporarily abandoned his cellphone (he could only communicate with his parents after his stay), and followed a strict vegetarian diet. His daily routine ended at 9 p.m., when the lights in the Quanshi dormitories were turned off.

Mastery of Martial Arts and Ancient Techniques

Under the tutelage of Grand Master Wang Hengying, Simeón was not just another student. As the only Western apprentice at the Mount Song center, he received intensive training in specialized disciplines such as Yi Jin Jing, a technique that involves alternately working muscles and tendons according to the practitioner’s will. He also mastered the use of traditional kung fu weapons: the pudao (a broad sword), the guandao (a halberd known as “Green Dragon Blade”), the jrujie bian (a chain whip), and the changqiang (a spear considered the “queen of weapons”).

His training went beyond the physical. The instructors emphasized “the history of Shaolin martial arts, the spirit of martial ethics, and the cultural essence of self-cultivation.” Simeón also actively participated in monastery chores, harvesting vegetables from the garden to help prepare meals, and took cultural visits to deepen his understanding of Buddhist tradition, including the Museum of the Shaoshi Mountain Martial Arts School, where he learned ancient palm leaf calligraphy.

A Family of Adventurers and Athletes

The prince is the youngest grandson of Simeón of Saxony-Coburg and Gotha and Savoia, the last Tsar of Bulgaria and former Prime Minister, whose family continued to hold political relevance even after the monarchy was abolished in 1946. However, the current generation has chosen to define itself through sports disciplines and adventurous exploration. Kitín, his father, is a renowned explorer who proudly supported his son’s initiative and continues to promote values of exploration and challenge.

Simeón began training in kung fu during his childhood in Morocco, laying the groundwork for his later decision to formalize his studies at the Shaolin Academy. Representatives of the institution confirmed that “the young prince has demonstrated the virtuosity of Shaolin Kung Fu and Shaoshi Shan arts,” awarding him a diploma certifying the completion of the first stage of his training under the Chinese name Si Miao Tian.

The Next Chapters: Commitment and New Journeys

After completing his training in China, Simeón returned with his parents to Bulgaria, settling in their residence in the Vitosha Forest, facing a green mountain. On January 15, he received news of the death of Princess Irene of Greece, his godmother, which prompted him to travel to Athens to pay his respects. Before moving on to further stages of his Shaolin training, the prince will fulfill other significant commitments.

On March 3, just before turning 19, he will participate with the Youth Guard in the Liberation Day parade in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital. He will also continue studying Arabic, complete his training as a snowboard instructor, and become a yachting skipper. The family is also preparing an ambitious transoceanic voyage on a junks raft, with Kitín as captain, continuing the family adventure that characterizes Kalina of Bulgaria and her descendants.

Prince Simeón’s journey exemplifies how Kalina of Bulgaria has managed to pass down her philosophy of dedication, discipline, and the pursuit of physical and mental balance across generations. From the mother’s steel musculature to the son’s mastery of kung fu, the family continues writing a unique chapter in the story of contemporary royalty, where sport and adventure take center stage.